Lana got ready with care, choosing clothes that were muted and appropriate for the office. She was ready to be back at work, even if it was for only half a day. Tali started school today, and Nico had already walked with her. Lana had seem them, Tali skipping, chatting happily, as they made their way across the smuggler area. Lana made her way down to the mess hall, picking up a hot tea for herself and a cocoa for the boss. Smiling, she scanned through security and was exiting the elevator when she saw the guard detail heading her way. She waited for them to catch up and hugged Miriah, who looked relaxed and glowing. Maybe things are settling down, Lana thought, and walked with the boss to her office. "I haven't had a look from last night..." Lana started, but Miriah waved her hand in front of her.
"Just sit and talk, Lana. You look wonderful, by the way. Pregnancy suits you," Miriah said, smiling when Corso hugged Lana as well.
"I feel great," Lana admitted. "I've been so excited to be back here." They both giggled when Corso brought over a footstool for Lana, lifting her feet onto it. "The interview is getting very positive response. You didn't look nervous at all."
"Alec Ranin has a way of making you feel at ease. And, he requested to stay a few days, you should get to meed him." Miriah felt Corso's hand on her shoulder and lifted her face to his, getting brief kiss before he headed to the cantina for caf. Miriah saw Aric meet him and they were off.
"They're just the same as always," Lana murmured. "If they were ten years old, they'd still go off to find adventure." Miriah chuckled at the mental image.
"They would. How's Tali taking things?"
"She's just blossoming in the force, and is already in her big sister role. We had a few days here and there where her insecurities got the better of her and she gets clingy, wanting to know if she'll be sent back to the facility, but so far we've managed to convince her that she's home. We're having a birthday party for her this weekend, and inviting her first grade class, so she's been looking forward to that." Lana looked up to see Miriah's smile, and blushed. "I'm so lucky to have her in our lives."
"She's very special." They talked about all the children, and finally Lana rose, stretching her back.
"I'll gather the reports and be back in a bit," she said, and Miriah nodded. She'd gotten Lana off her feet and got to catch up with her at the same time, and it made her happy.
Coleen was still asleep when Ty woke, and he took Caitlin in for a diaper change and breakfast. By the time Coleen stumbled into the kitchen, Ty was washing up, and her daughter was clapping her hands to his singing. She stopped dead, watching them together. How could I ever think he'd desert us? He acts like her father already. Her heart knew, she realized. Stepping into the kitchen, she put her arms around Ty's waist and leaned her head against his back. "I want this. Us," she told him, and he turned to embrace her.
"I will make you happy, I swear it, Coleen." They stood in each others arms while Caitlin gurgled and clapped.
Sarai had been restless and woke later than her usual, which didn't make her happy. Mentally, she checked off her list. Caly had been by the day before, and Sarai had told her that she was only beginning, to enjoy herself. Devin had communicated with her in the force, and she had told him that she was so, so proud of him. Ian had come late in the day, and she had told him that he was more than what he'd limited himself to, which surprised him, but gave him food for thought. She sighed and sat up. I'm going home today, she thought. I should be able to see everyone then. She had gained her feet, going slowly so that she didn't get dizzy, when Mags came in and rushed to her side.
"Mom, you're supposed to call for help," Mags admonished.
"Going to the refersher, really didn't need help, my girl." Sarai disappeared behind the door and Mags straightened the sparse room. When Sarai reappeared, she was fully dressed.
"Going somewhere?" Mags asked, her eyebrows raised.
"Home. I'm going home. I can take pills and eat and drink in my own home." Sarai's tone brooked no argument, and finally Mags nodded. Really, she'd stayed longer than Mags had expected her to tolerate.
"How about a transport chair?" Mags suggested, and breathed a sigh of relief when Sarai nodded. "Right, I'll get one. Stay put a minute." As Mags waited for the droid, she shot off a message to her sisters before pushing the chair into her mother's room. Sarai wasted no time taking a seat, her bag in her lap.
"Let's go. I want to be in my own place," she said, and with a nod, Mags started to the elevator, unsure if this was a good idea but knowing in her heart that Sarai needed to be comfortable.
Miriah was settled at her desk when she saw Aric hustling her way. Sitting up straight, she focused all her attention on his face, which was a mixture of rage and disbelief.
"One of our ships was hijacked by former Imperials on her crew," he spat out, too agitated to sit. "They took off when the captain and command crew had gone into the space station above Taron 4. They were last spotted headed toward the border with the Empire's space." He rubbed his head, trying to calm himself.
"Okay," Miriah said, her mind already turning the problem around. She stood and paced around the desk, Corso watching her carefully. "We can't risk an Alliance ship that close to the boarder, but I wonder if there are any Mandalorian ships out there?"
Aric grinned as he nodded. "I'm on it. On my way to find Mandalore." Miriah grinned back but let it drop as he cleared the door. Always something, she thought, absently rubbing her neck. She felt Corso come to stand behind her and leaned back into his chest, his arms around her.
"Darlin', are you okay?" he asked, not trusting his eyes to tell him.
"Of course, I am, sugar. Just thinking, that's all." He held her and she finally turned in his arms. He had lowered his head to kiss her but they heard Lana speaking to a guard in the hall, and instead, Corso whispered to her that they'd have time later. With a slight nod, they moved away from each other and Miriah smiled as Lana sailed into the room.
Magdalane parked the chair outside the apartment and held her arm out for Sarai, which went ignored. Their droid was already cooking, and Sarai inhaled deeply, the smell of orobird soup making her smile. "That's going to be just perfect," she said, and got comfortable on the sofa, clicking on the holo feed to her favorite daytime show with a smile. Mags observed her, and decided that she was doing as well as expected, and saw that she was definitely in better spirits. With a shrug, she knelt beside the sofa.
"Mom, I'm taking the chair back. Why don't I go get some of the rolls you like and meet you back here in a bit for dinner?"
"That sounds lovely," Sarai answered, but her eyes never left her program. Mags stood and made her way back to the med center, wondering how long her mother's body would be able to sustain her.
Coleen left her class, the first session reminding her how much she loved teaching little ones. She was on her way to the child care facility when she saw Ty jogging toward her. When he reached her side, she gave him a weary smile. "Long day, beautiful?" he asked, and she nodded. Once she'd signed Caitlin out, they walked together, Ty having taken the child from her mother and making her laugh, bouncing her on his hip. "Want to stop for an afternoon snack? I've got dinner already cooking," he told her, and Coleen nodded. Her energy had been depleted rapidly during the day, and Caitlin had just gotten a nap, so they should be good for a bit, she reasoned. Inside the mess hall, however, she stopped short, seeing her parents there with Missy.
"Let's just go home," she said, feeling Ty's hand on her back, urging her forward.
"They'll have to see us together, Coleen. That's all. They don't have to know anything else just yet." He waved as he caught Maura's eye, and Coleen groaned. Aric's head swung around to them, and he started toward them. Once he was close enough, he reached out for Caitlin, who grinned happily at her grandfather.
"Good to see you guys," Aric said, but Coleen could see the tension on her father's face. "Come, join us."
Coleen swallowed hard and Ty bent to her ear. "I'll gather some food and be back in a flash." She nodded and joined her parents, Missy playing with the baby.
"So are you two a couple now?" Aric asked, his voice modulated in the public space. Even so, she didn't hear any hostility in his tone, only curiosity.
Taking a deep breath, she looked into her father's eyes. "We are. But we're taking things slowly. I don't want to make another mistake." She wasn't aware she was holding her breath until Aric nodded, and she let it out.
"As long as he treats you and this princess the right way, I have no objections." Maura nodded at her husband, she knew what it had taken for him to let go of just a little of his worry and protectiveness. When Ty joined them, the atmosphere was much improved, and he felt welcomed.
Miriah stood behind her desk, Hylo and Shae Vizla across from her. "So, they just took an Alliance ship. I want that ship back," she said, her voice calm but the fire in her eyes was unmistakable.
"Just the ship? Not the people?" Hylo asked, already running scenarios in her head.
"You can leave those who stole from us at a neutral port, but I want that vessel returned," Miriah said emphatically. Corso was paying attention to her voice, not just her words. It had started into that low, dangerous tone that told him she would soon have issues controlling her temper. Knowing that, he moved a little closer, hoping to keep her calm.
"I have just the hunter for that job," Shae said, and Miriah sat back in her chair, smiling.
"Excellent. Keep me updated," she replied, and the two women filed out, chatting about nearby places to leave the deserters. Corso came to his wife's side then, and when she looked up at him, he could still see remnants of the anger, but not as much as he'd expected.
"Let's go home," he said softly, and she smiled wistfully.
"I feel guilty going this early," she confessed, and he went to his knees beside her.
"Why, darlin'? You've cleared your pressing matters, and most of the legislation that Devin sent over." He pulled her toward him, remembering that he'd pulled her under the desk not so long ago, and wondered if he should again when she stood and pulled him up.
"You're right. Let's go home." Corso didn't need any encouragement and they were inside the apartment in minutes, and naked shortly after, taking full advantage of having the time to spend with each other.
Lana woke from her nap and stretched. Nico had collected Tali from her first day of 'real' school, and they had snacked together before Tali went to play and Lana had closed her eyes. Now, Nico sat across from her and looked up from the holo feed. "Feeling okay, my love?"
"I am," she said. "What can I make for dinner?"
"Already done," he answered. "I brought food from the cantina when I came back with Tali."
"Oh," she said, and settled back on the sofa. They were quiet a few moment before Nico spoke again.
"Do you regret it?" he asked, and Lana turned a frown to him. "Regret all the turmoil this pregnancy has caused, the changes in both mind and body?"
"Of course I don't," she said softly, reaching out to him. He left his chair and took her in his arms. "I cannot think of anything I love more than having our family." Tali ran in then, feeling the turbulent emotions in the force, and added her hug.
"Mama, he's hungry," Tali said, pointing to where her baby brother rested. Laughing, they stood and went in to dinner, Nico and Lana holding hands while Tali told them all about school.
Aric escorted everyone out when Caitlin began to fuss, and made sure that the women were well away when he spoke to Ty. "All I ask is that you make her happy. She's had enough of the drama and broken promises, and men who don't know how to step up. I will be very upset if you do the same."
Ty met his eyes, fearless. "I promise, I will make her happy. I made her the same promise this morning." Aric held his gaze for a long minute before nodding and going to join Maura. Coleen waved and Ty took Caitlin and the heavy baby bag on his own shoulder.
"What did Dad say?" she asked once they were in the secure area.
"Only that he wants to see you happy. I made him the same promise I made you," Ty said, and saw a smile bloom on her face. They walked hand in hand across the cantina and into the apartment, Coleen wondering when he could move in.
Shae Vizla had a few minutes before heading out to the annex to have dinner at Arcann's home, and pulled out her holo. Scrolling through the saved frequencies, she finally found the one she was searching for. She pressed the buttons and seconds later she saw the hunter she knew would do this job, just for the glory. With a brief explanation of the task, and payment, of course, the call was completed, and Shae made her way out of the main base.
Rukisa pushed the black hair out of her eyes as she sat. Mandalore had asked her to do this, and she would. Her second in command saw her call, though he was too far away to hear it, and knew they had an important job. Rukisa finally stood and called out new coordinates, ready to retrieve this bounty that would feed and fuel them all for a year, at least. Straightening her gray and red armor, she took a deep breath. For Mandalore, she thought, and smiled.